Congress dissidents’ vent ire in poll-bound Gujarat

Ahmaedabad/Rajkot, Nov 28 (ANI): Rebel Congress party leaders ransacked the party’s office in Gujarat after being denied tickets to contest next months polls in the State. They slammed the party’s decision to deny deserving candidates, including women, tickets. “We are against such ticket distribution. I would like to say to the Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi, who publicly said there should be women representation. There are so many women in our area. So, if not 33 per cent, at least some percent of representation should be given to women. Party needs educated women and women like us who come forward. Such injustice is done to us. We are protesting and will carry on with it, until our demands are not met,” said Ratna Vohra, a Congress councillor. In the meanwhile, BJP chief Rajnath Singh has exuded confidence that his party would win in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. “Assembly elections are taking place in both Gujarat and Himachal. Survey agencies and political analysts also believe that the BJP is going to form governments in both states, either by a two thirds majority or a full majority, he said. I believe that when the BJP will form governments in these states, it will surely emerge as the single largest party in Parliament after Lok Sabha elections,” he added. The BJP managed to win 127 seats, while the Congress party was able to win only 51 seats in the 2002 Gujarat Assembly polls. The Janata Dal (United) and independents won two seats each. The first phase of elections in Gujarat will be held on December 11 and second phase on December 16. The counting of votes will take place on December 23. Over 36 million voters will elect the 182-member Assembly in Gujarat as the term of the State’s Legislative Assembly is due to expire on December 26. (ANI)